Anyone use ski goggles?

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rajman

I don't like the lack of peripheral vistion and since it's dark for at least half my rides, I want clear lenses, which are hard to get in ski goggles.

I have often thought that a clear lens motorcycle helmet might be just the trick for winter riding.

Hezz

I have tried ski goggles and they are much warmer than glasses. Both for the eyes and for the nose. The big problem with them is that they fog up easily when you stop riding because of lack of ventilation through the goggle. And because your head and face is much warmer than they would be from skiing or snowboarding.

I find them uncomfortable with a bike helmet because the bike helmet is designed to come down low on the forehead. I am planning on trying goggles with a cheap full coverage DH/BMX bike helmet this winter since these helmets have more clearance for goggles since they are intended to be worn with them.

Domhannic

Ski goggles like any gear has it's low to high tech capabilities. Cheap goggles fog. For less than 50 bucks you can get a pair that is anti fog. One aspect of a tinted goggle is that glare fromm automobile lights is cut out and I find this an advantage in urban riding. As for comfort a goggle is worn to cover exposed skin in sub zero temps. Rather figure out how to strap these on under a helmet than freeze my face. A good face mask for 20 bucks and lightweight knit cap round out head protection. when it is -10 degrees or more a "headsock replaces both the knit cap and face mask. Good to have this on hand in a messenger bag if you think the temp is going to drop

CrosseyedCrickt

I use goggles from eyegearzone.com
I posted a 10% off coupon code on here a few weeks ago, looks like it got caught during the forums colon cleaning
I believe the coupon code was EXTRA10
when I get home I'll double check and try and repost it

Portis

We share the same climate and I can tell you that goggles aren't necessary. The eyes will tolerate very cold temps, much colder than we see here in Kansas. The coldest i have ridden in was -5 F and my eyes were not a problem. It also doesn't get any colder than that here in Kansas.

Actually I have been thrilled since moving to contact lenses a couple years ago. I know longer have to mess with fogging eyewear when covering the rest of my face. That is a real advantage.

ghettocruiser

No such luck with my eyes. Goggles below -5C or they water so much I can see very little. I used to just not ride in cold weather because of my eyes and face freezing. With goggles a problem no longer.

ax0n

I don't need eyewear but my face gets really sensitive in the cold, especially like it was on Wednesday where the gods were shooting ice pellets at my face. above -5C or not, ice pellets (and even snow) in the eyes suck.

Ritehsedad

Below 30F. Only problem is I can't wear my glasses under them.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h250/ritehsedad/100_4418.jpg

willtsmith_nwi

My vomit-inducing countenance has been obscured. Be thankful.

http://www.focushacks.com/photo/ninjabiker.jpg

Looks like Cobra Commander took up cycling. ;-)

jeff-o

I wear this:

http://www.rebel-cycles.com/article_pics/helmet_photos/model_helmet2_s.jpg

And here's how to make one. (http://www.rebel-cycles.com/rainhelmet.html)

vtjim

I wear them but only when it gets down into the single digits (F) or if it's really windy. You need the full face coverage for frostbite protection.

ColorChange

I wear them (and my ski helmet) when below 20F. Works great.

GGDub

I wear them below -20c. I tried to avoid them as much as possible since I hate having to fully turn my head every time I want to see something in my periphery.

ax0n

The lens on mine isn't tinted as much as the photo looks, but it is tinted. It's just the fact that a window was reflecting off of it and it's dark inside, so it appears to be really dark. My face is really sensitive to the cold, it's not so much my eyes. I decided to try the goggles after getting pelted with icy pellets in the face last wednesday evening on my commute.

Today's the first time I rode in the dark with them, and they're really not bad at all. The aforementioned peripheral vision problem is the only annoying thing I noticed. I am contemplating a street bike (crotch rocket) helmet, though. The bulkiness would be unwelcome, but I'm sure the visibility would be better. I'm not sure how warm it would be, and there would be some serious issues getting hydrated. How the hell would you drink anything with that style of helmet on? Leave a bite valve permanently implanted in your mouth?

swwhite

I found some cheap ski goggles at the army surplus store for five dollars, and wear them when the temperature gets down around 15 degrees F. The goggles came with interchangeable lenses, so I put in the clear one. I think their cheapness (they seem a bit drafty) might keep them ventilated enough to prevent fogging. They do reduce the peripheral vision, but my route is basically six miles on one straight road.

ax0n

All decent ski goggles (including my cheapo Uvex googles I bought in 1995 or so) are sealed and double-walled on the lens. Your body heat keeps the inner lens warm, the sealed gap between the lenses acts as an insulator, keeping the inner lens from getting cold (and thus fogging) while keeping the humidity of your face away from the inner surface of the cold outer lens.

All ski goggles are ventilated a bit, but that's only part of the fogless equation. Most goggles also come pre-treated with a silicone coating on both inner and outer lens surfaces that makes water droplets bead and run off, and reduces fog as well.

swwhite

All decent ski goggles (including my cheapo Uvex googles I bought in 1995 or so) are sealed and double-walled on the lens.

Thanks, I didn't know that. I thought the extra price was for fashion only. I've been looking for a reason to upgrade. Maybe I'll wait until the end of winter and see what hits the sales racks.

GGDub

In my experience, it takes a couple of cold rides to build up a tolerance to the cold. Case in point, ealier this fall when the temp was only -5c, I would get an "ice cream" headache on the way in. Now after having dealt with -20 tp -30c, my face is much tougher and I have no problems below -10c. I first noticed this while working in the Arctic in November. The first couple of days out were painful, then your body adapts and pretty soon you're like the locals and walking around with nothing on your head.

ax0n

The $24 goggles at Dick's Sporting goods were also double-walled, I believe they were "Scott" brand. And they look almost identical to my UVEX gog's. Check your $5 goggles, they're probably double lensed as well. I haven't encountered ski goggles that aren't. The better ones are just sealed with thin double-sided weather stripping that totally traps air in there.

Mr_H

I wear this:

http://www.rebel-cycles.com/article_pics/helmet_photos/model_helmet2_s.jpg

And here's how to make one. (http://www.rebel-cycles.com/rainhelmet.html)

Jeff-o, that looks like a great solution for those of us with glasses. How well does it work against wind and the like? I know it probably doesn't keep you super warm, but i'm curious about how well it works for other things. (I espically like the velcro. On, off, on off)

Edit: Also, do you know where to purchase those online? I'm having a heck of a time finding'em

jeff-o

It works incredibly well against wind. For the second day in a row, at about -8C, I rode without a hat. I did wear protection for my mouth and ears, though. Toasty warm!

I had a hard time buying the windscreen online, too. I tried two stores before I gave up and tried my LBS. They were able to order it without any problems. If you don't have any luck ordering direct from Louis Garneau's website, try a bike shop that carries LG stuff.

legot73

I used ski goggles for the first time today, and they were wonderful.

Bolle Shark goggles with clear lenses off Amazon, about $25 with shipping. Never fogged, not even a little on a 8F morning. They also fit under my helmet ok. I felt a little presure on the bridge of my nose from the foam, but could breathe fine.

Mr_H

I had a hard time buying the windscreen online, too. I tried two stores before I gave up and tried my LBS. They were able to order it without any problems. If you don't have any luck ordering direct from Louis Garneau's website, try a bike shop that carries LG stuff.

Hah, found one in Canada: http://www.brauns.com/gc/gc_item.exe?K=LGWINDSCREENHELMETOP&A=10100

Only about 3-4 hours from me :D

jeff-o

Hah, found one in Canada: http://www.brauns.com/gc/gc_item.exe?K=LGWINDSCREENHELMETOP&A=10100

Only about 3-4 hours from me :D

And only 10 minutes from me! That's where I bought mine. ;)

Mr_H

And only 10 minutes from me! That's where I bought mine. ;)

Ironic, since one of my comments when I saw it's location was "Hey, that's about 30 minutes out of my way when I drive to Buffalo" (Michigan to New York, easy to go through Canada :) )

GreyGoat

sorry for the repeated pics every year guys, but I love these goggles.. has a little two speed fan in the top to keep constant air movement(hence the C.A.M. name)... they come in OTG(over the glasses) size.. no more fogging..

vger285

I bought a pair of these for $3.40 they work very well and vent good,are light weight with good visability, http://www.elvex.com/goggles-start.htm joe

grolby

I've been wearing ski goggles since I started riding in the winter. Fogging has never been a problem. They keep my eyes clear and my face warm, and they cut down on glare from snow. I wouldn't ride in winter without them.

Joe1946

I use Uvex Supersonic S goggles , Giro Ravine SC snowsports helmet and Polar Wrap warm air mask in very cold weather.
http://lyze.ae.cz/var/shop/storage/images-versioned/386133/2-cze-CZ/brle-uvex-supersonic-s---2_large.jpg
http://www.boardshop.ru/2004/grafika/helmets/ravine_black.jpg
http://www.allthingsarctic.com/images/warmair-mask2.jpg

Hezz

I just got a bike helmet from Price Point for $6.98 USD. It works great with goggles. It has lots of clearance and comes down farther in the back than regular helmets to keep the back of the head warm. It has much more forehead clearance than regular bike helmets so the goggles fit without interfering with helmet placement. No ear coverage though, but in a way this makes it work better as the goggle strap can fit underneath the helmet and act as a second layer on a skull cap or balaclava.

Warmth can be adjusted by the thickness of the hat worn under the helmet and the helmet's fitting adjustments easily come out from their velcro attachments for adjusting to the thickness of the hat your wearing.

It's the GT Ollie Hardshell Helmet. It seems to be well made and has venting more appropriate for cold weather.

Air

Do the Bolle Shark goggles fit over glasses?

Air

PsySal

I use an old pair of Bolle goggles. They are neccesary to ride fast when the snow is falling because otherwise the snow stings the eyes.

The thing about the dark, is that in winter, in the city, if there is a lot of snow on the ground then things are typically light enough to see even with the goggles on. Of course once the snow melts, that's not the case anymore.

GreyGoat

What brand are those?
Smith makes them....

robtown

For temps in the below 30F or in cold rain I'll sometimes wear a ski helmet and goggles. The ski helmet has adjustable vents and ear covers. The goggles are warmer and do not fog up.